NTL proxy problems
 

Many people post on the forum that they are having issues with particular sites and proxy servers, so this post is to give information regarding the sites that most commonly have problems.

Problem Sites:
The ones I encountered most whilst working at ntl were:

Yahoo- In particular yahoo groups
Hotmail- sometimes no access at all, sometimes errors when trying to get to particular folders
Ebuyer- usually no access at all to the site.

Resolution:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/article.php?c=16

There are five articles here regarding proxy servers- detailing how to find out which proxy range you use by default, how to change your proxy, and a list of ntl proxy servers.

Most importantly- If you do not report the problem to ntl they will not know about it and therefore cannot deal with it! I would suggest that you do not bother reporting issues with sites listed above, but other sites it is worth reporting. Perhaps members can post issues in this thread as well so others can see problem sites?

Contact numbers for ntl's technical support are here:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/article.php?a=9

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

dnsreport.com - site bans proxy after certian amount of use, probably anti ddos protection. Resolution is to change to a different proxy.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Rapidshare is the same, quite often I'll go to download something that someone's sent me, and it say that someone else on my IP is already downloading it, or my IP has downloaded too much already.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

for the last couple of weeks I have had to use a proxy in order to get onto cableforum anyone else had this?

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I believe ikthius has the same problem as you atm - he is also on renf.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I have the same problem, also on renf.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

yip I had a bloody nightmare for over 5 days trying to access this site.

I had to reboot my modem, go to FF 1.0.6 (wink) and then try a few proxies, after the first lot did not work.

eventually I got here today

hip hip hooray

ik

EDIT: the first proxy on the Robins page workeed after a reboot.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

www.betanews.com Poplar default, unusable - since all other poplars work, this is either a faulty proxy, or over-zealous ddos protection

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

welcome back ik :)

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

All the pages that don't work, and streaming that someone mentioned on a differed thread would all seem to suggest it's something to do with secure webpages - hotmail goes through one to sign on, any e-buying requires secure webpages (though Amazon one-click doesn't) and any streaming needs to be secure.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Secure webpages dont go through the proxies. Streaming also doesnt use the secure protocol usually depending on the stream.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Why do ntl use proxies, they are the only ISP that I know that does use them.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Proxies, if working correctly, can deliver content quicker than having to go to the originating site, particularly if that site is on the other side of the world. They also reduce the volume of data having to be carried outside of the ISP's network. There are two main problems with their use, they don't always work correctly and some sites use IP checking which only picks up the proxy IP rather than the customers IP. This is not a problem with the proxies themselves but badly written software being useed by the site which could get the correct IP if re-written correctly. Only finding the proxy IP the site may get the false impression that they are under a ddos attack and prevent the customer from connecting.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

FYI - The problems accessing from the default renf proxy server should now be fixed.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

nope I still don't have any access to the site.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

All the renf proxies were okay when I posted that. I can't test them from work. Renf-5 is the default for CF.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

There are others.

Many will argue that proxies are not needed, because upstream peer costs per byte are a lot less than they used to be. However, ntl has a large customer base, nearly 3m Internet subscribers (including Virgin and VISP operations), so peering costs are huge.

Love them or loath them, they are a cost effective way of reducing costs.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

well as you said traffic is so cheap now days when brought on a huge scale the arguments for proxy servers are thin.

NTL right now have peering capacity issues, which is probably why they are using the proxies, obvious sign of the isp growing too fast due to its aggressive marketing.

Nott5 has took a sharp downturn in the last 12 hours, I have gone back to cycling my proxy every 5 minutes.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

restarted my modem and it seems to work fine now.;)

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I seem to be on manc 5 or manc 10 the most but tonight I could access these forums but timed out everytime I tried to go to ISPreview now changed to bangu4 and ISpreview loads no problems..

These proxy's are falling over to often now ita lamost every other day.. Maybe its time NTL had a rethink about the whole proxy idea.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Manchester 10 died yesterday, I don't think it's back yet.

Sorry but that's simply not true. I have a monitor system that checks every ntl proxy server twice an hour. In the last two weeks less than 5 have failed, two are currently down - Manchester 10 and Huddersfield 2

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

well there is my problem I am normally on manchester 10 when I check my ip details on ISPr so that is why I am proxy dancing to go between this forum and ISPr. Might aswell just stay on bagu 4 as Bill never seems to have any problems.

I am struggling to access www.entityonline.net I have had time outs and access denied all night regardless of what proxy I use. I can ping the site and I have completed a tracert to the site. Any ideas? just managed to access the website

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

If the normal proxy for a site falls over the site will be dealt with by another one.

Southampton is slow to www.digitalspy.co.uk

Being unable to access ISPR is a bonus anyway, I'd have thought :p:

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Apologies if this is the wrong thread for asking this.

I'm trying to get my head around proxies. Really I'm trying to find out things that I may never need, but there may come a day... I've followed the instructions in the links from the first post about changing the proxy. I then checked my ip number at whatsmyip which confirmed the change.

I've just got a couple of queries, just to clarify some things...

1. is it OK to use ANY proxy listed in the new format proxy servers list? I'm on one of the Middlesboro proxy servers, but is it OK (and considered good form ie not breaching an unwritten rule) to use any NTL proxy, even, say, one of the Belfast or Manchester proxies?

2. I managed to have different proxy numbers for both IE6 and Firefox, and used whatsmyip to confirm the proxiy numbers were different, when operating both browsers simultanaeously. Again, is this OK or considered bad form? ie should I just use the the same proxy number for each browser (changing the proxy settings in IE6 does not alter the same in FF, in effect I was able to access the internet through 2 different proxy numbers at the same time)? Having different proxy setting for each browser means not having to change a number manually if I encounter a problem with a site (I can just use the alternative browser).

Thanks in advance for any advice anyone can give.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Coventry Proxy, lost some DNS settings, tonight I lost a site (I own) switched to a Swansea Proxy and its working fine.

Coventry Proxy (Default for me) is always slow

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

1. You will possibly get slightly better performance if you use one more local to you, but in theory you can use any in the list.

2. Makes no difference, I leave IE to use the Nottingham defaults and have a specific one set in FF.

BTW, you can just use the "connection" link on the forum navbar (top of each page) to check your ip & proxy.

(and yes, I know it's an old post, but he still visits, and others may want the answers ;))

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

neowin.net magically was fixed within a day of posting on here so now I ask for this link to work please :) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4641682.stm

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

So what going on, I have people all around the world telling my site is down, and it is with the default proxy. I can access only with a Swansea Proxy, has some DNS server gone down out there ?

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

If thats the case then it probably isn't the NTL proxies that are at fault but rather your hosting, a faulty proxy may stop *you* from seeing the site, but it wouldn't affect someone who isn't on an NTL connection (unless you host from home on your NTL connection maybe ?)

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Those other people had a DNS look up problem, me I had a problem with NTL, just so happens it was at the same time, Coventry was off totally for sometime.

All working fine now

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I have had for at least two years problems with my default proxy accessing one particular site. I know friends who have the same problem (accessing www.ebuyer.com). I get round it by accessing ebuyer via another NTL proxy. Obviously the transparent cache must be badfor this site but can I ever get NTL to fix this. NO .... They don't have enough technical expertise in their front line support to even understand the problem. Why does NTL not allow us to force the cache to refresh ourselves?

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

have you tried proxy switchers like pc mesh, or hide ip plat, or even smac? they all seem to work for me, smac changes your mac address which can force an ip change, pc mesh is a really good proxy switcher that works.
huggies kat2

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Messing about with the Polar area again... on, off, on - currently on and showing all the signs of a bad one, some sites normal, others insanely slow. Are they EVER going to get it right - perhaps it's time they tried Squid freeware, it couldn't be any worse!

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Did another test:
The rest of the 62.255.83.6-14 group were all transferring at 100KB/s
62.255.83.11 ... 1KB/s, if it moved at all, and any sites unlucky enough to get that one crawl at sub-dialup speed.

Can someone with the ear of anyone technical at NTL please pass it on that this server is BROKEN (or perhaps the routing for it is defective). Alternatively, it is overloaded by 100:1 as compared to any of the others.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I have spent much time talking to people very high up at NTL and I can tell you this:

1. No one at NTL knows who can make a decision about removal of proxy servers.

2. NTL do not believe that there is a wide spread issue with their proxy system

3. NTL have absolutely no plans to stop using proxy servers

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

There are people at ntl who can make that decision, but we'd (or maybe just me) be interested to know how high you have been able to go.

There isn't a wide spread issue that's why, there are local proxy issues which need sorting. The problem is that the apparent fixes appear not to work from the customers, us, perspective.

Probably true. :shrug:

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I have gone as high as the executive office, which is just a polite version of the same lies NTL feeds its customers. They do NOT know who can make this decision at NTL. You can read more about it on the site that I am not allowed to advertsise here...

The issue is widespread and I have plenty of evidence to support that, any claim that it isn't can only be one of the two - ignorance or lies. I have provided NTL with plentuy of evidence to show that they have widespread problems with the proxy system.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I think you be a minority saying that, I certianly remember my ntl browsing days and usually had at least a few issues each day from general browsing caused by the proxies, on top of that their was a permanent reduction in performance. Their are also some sites that arent proxy friendly which is what I would call another widespread issue.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Indeed, a quick search in google will reveal the long and troubled history of NTL's proxy servers. Why else have a topic dedicated to the problem?

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I may well be in a minority compared to the other posters in this site yes, but I still hold my view that they are localised problems.

Also, sites that are not proxy friendly.....isn't that the responsibility of the site developers?

E.g, using http_x_forwrded_for to capture the IP address of a person going through a proxy rather than relying on remote_addr. Using the appropriate no-cache meta tags?

Look, don't get me wrong, there are obviously issues, but until the whole network collapses under the weight of ntl proxy failures, I honestly think they are going to carry on as is. Unless of course somebody is now running the network who worked on the Telewest side, and was responsible for not forcing their customers through proxies, rather allowing the customer the opportunity to specify one if they want.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

They've been off in Nottingham for 3+ months now - long may it continue.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

no it isnt, transperent proxes break http standards.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

There are two seperate issues:

1. Some sites are just not coded to handle proxies sensibly... this is not NTL's problem.

2. There ARE frequent problems with one or more of the proxies, in terms of performance, which could be setup/tuning, network issues, malfunctioning proxy, or miscalculation of load estimates.

The actual proxy troubles are either localised (but recurrent), or a sometimes a factor of the particular type or setup (eg Inktomi versus Netapp) - in general, the Netapps seem to be more reliable, but occasionally have issues with some sites (a setup issue, most likely, as the case I'm thinking of was a simple split - all the Inktomi's worked, all the Netapps didn't).

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Why should I, a paying user, care? They can use shoes and laces to route the traffic, as long as it works. I don't care if it's local, inktomi or anything else.

It is obvious that NTL don't have the know how or the will to fix these problems. We are talking here (IMHO) about a very corrupt company and that should always be remembered. When you do remember this, everything makes sense.

---------- Post added at 23:08 ---------- Previous post was at 23:04 ----------


Exactly. It also carries moral and ethical questions as well as privacy, security and reliability concerns.

I doubt the proxy servers at NTL actually save any bandwidth. Much of the web is dynamic content and even static pages use no-cache directives. Of course this may be too technical for NTL management.

---------- Post added at 23:13 ---------- Previous post was at 23:08 ----------

Another NTL classic! Do you even realise how arrogant your reply is?

Anything that affects the quality of service NTL customers are getting is, by definition NTL's problem.

And besides, this sentence is factually wrong too. What about bbc.co.uk is proxy incompatible?

Once again, we get a live public demo of NTLs attitude. I's the wrong leaves syndrome all over again...

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Could you please clarify - what standards exactly do they break ?

So you know all ntl's engineers and their skill sets do you ?

They will save some bandwidth, but I would agree it's probably very little these days, and not worth the hasstle they cause.

Possibly not as arrogant as yours. ;)

Poor coding is not ntl's problem (or indeed any other ISP's problem). Next you'll be blaming them for all of IE's security problems :rolleyes: (sorry, but that's poor coding on the part of M$).

Perhaps you need to re-read the word some in the sentance, he never said all.

FYI, I hate ntl's proxy servers just like everyone else, and would love to see them all turned off for good, but please stick to facts about them, not ill informed or inaccurate rantings about ntl staff and other members posts.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

You are twisting my words - I said the problem is "NTL don't have the know how or the will" . I don't know which and never claimed to. Do you know all NTL engineers?

OK, let's blame the victim.

The same sites work just fine with most other ISPs so your example is completely irrelevant. MS security issues are the same regardless of ISP. The proxy issues only happen on NTL.


I am very well informed and you can use google to verify this. All my accusations are documented and have been refered to ofcom. Like it or not, it's all fact.

---------- Post added at 00:43 ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 23:59 ----------

This page for example shows how Yahoo users have a document specific to NTL users. Interestingly, they claim here that "this is an NTL problem".

http://www.helpbytes.co.uk/yahoontlproblem.php

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I don't think I've twisted anything, your words seem quite plain - "NTL don't have the know how".

If only 'most' other ISP's work fine then how can it be an NTL issue only ? Some sites (esp those that use ip checking to block visitors) are poorly written and so don't work with proxy servers (not just ntl's) - that's a fact. We can manage to extract the real ip when an ntl customer browses this site, so when we ban an ip address we don't ban an entire section of the country. It's not hard, and certainly not ntl's fault.

If you think NTL are the only ISP that uses proxy servers and has problems with them then you are not quite so well informed - ask the poor AOL users what they think of AOL's proxy servers - be prepared for a serious rant from them ;)

That's very nice, but what's your point ? - I haven't disputed the fact that they can cause problems, They sometimes do, we already know that - I am disputing your statements that all problems are ntl's fault (they are not) and that ntl are the only ISP to use proxy servers and have problems with them (they are not). As I said, I'll be more than happy when they burn them all in proxy server hell. :)

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

"or the will". You forgot that part.

If that's how you debate then I'm out.

Ofir

---------- Post added at 02:57 ---------- Previous post was at 02:52 ----------

I didn't say that either. I really have no idea what you are talking about. What statements?

---------- Post added at 03:01 ---------- Previous post was at 02:57 ----------

I didn't say it was an NTL only issue. Again you are inventing things and then arguing with them.

---------- Post added at 03:05 ---------- Previous post was at 03:01 ----------

Actually, I don't think that at all. Again you are making things up...

Is this for real?

Surely you are just trying to wind me up?

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

You have received comments to some of your rather flimsey statements about the ntl proxy issues, and those are comming apart at the seams a little sir. Paul has been very careful to quote you, check again please.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

He didn't quote me even once.

But I disagree, the moon is not made from cheese.

You're right this can be fun.

and I completely disagree with what you said about red cars, coffee and bananas.

Note how carefully I'm quoting you....

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

No, I didn't forget it, it's just not relevant - it doesn't change the meaning of "NTL don't have the know how" in any way.

Bye then. :wavey:

Well this one actually.
Seems clear to me, you blame anything (i.e. everything) on NTL (see below as well).

Did I make this up then ?Nope, seems you clearly posted it. :dozey:

Yes.

Nope, you seem to be doing that quite well yourself. :dig:

---------- Post added at 14:01 ---------- Previous post was at 13:59 ----------

:rofl: Please try again - everyone can plainly see I have quoted you multiple times.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Just to show you how mixed up you are:

Saying that NTL has a problem doesn't mean it's automatically their fault. I didn't say that, you said it. I just said that its a problem. Which it is.

---------- Post added at 14:08 ---------- Previous post was at 14:03 ----------

Of course it does. I assume you understand the meaning of the word "or"

Anyway, talking to you is as much a waste as talking to NTL. Instead of concentrating on the cause of the problem, you seem more excited by the prospect of misquoting me.

Just so you know, quoting half a sentence is not a quote. Removing words like OR is not a quote and is also rude, unethical and immoral.

Don't bother to reply, I'm not reading.

I can't find how to close my membership of this forum.

---------- Post added at 14:15 ---------- Previous post was at 14:08 ----------

Not really, can you please remove my account from this idiotic forum? I can't find how to do it.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

You really are clutching at straws now, but since you persist, consider two statements ;

1. I cannot buy this car because I don't have the money.

2. I cannot buy this car because I don't have the money or the ability to drive it.

In either case you don't have the money, adding an "or" does not change that. Nice try though. ;)

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

:waving: :LOL: goodbye

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

LOL, that about sums your arguemtns up, have fun....elsewhere.:dunce:

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

paul I am tired right now just got in, but I will drag up the docs I used that makes me think the http protocol isnt designed by standard to handle mass use of proxy transparency.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Okay :tu:

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

You ask for your account to be removed and then come back under a different name i take it.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

He did, and now he's gone. Lord only knows who he thinks I work for ( NTL :rofl: ) obviously he's as well informed about that as everything else :dozey:

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Makes for a interesting Saturday night for him i suppose.:).

And NTL being my new employer :) from Monday :)

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

ooer - good luck Bill :tu:

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Thanks m8

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

np - do you need a disclaimer in your sig :D

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Not yet :LOL:

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

waits, not Tom :)

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

ok source here ftp://ftp.rfc-editor.org/in-notes/rfc2965.txt

the ntl proxies arent doing this.

not sure if still the case but before the proxies werent http 1.1 compliant introducing the above situation

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

That's pretty obscure at best, and I would think they are all http 1.1 now anyway so doesn't apply. :) - of course any things like that are also down to the software they are running, which would be the 3rd party standard software supplied with them (and yes, configuration of that software as well, but I doubt the above is a config option). I do however strongly suspect that many of their issues are config issues, they don't seem to have any consistancy across the country.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

agree half of it is config issues the other half (performance side) is lack of investment in more hardware.

they could also disable proxies for specific sites such as dnsreport that arent proxy friendly.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Ironic thing with DNSreport is that its sister site, DNSstuff, actually shows the client IP address of the user (top right corner), but will still ban it if it gets too much traffic from the local ntl proxy....weird ??

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I've discussed this possibility with the NTL executive office. Not a chance!

NTL would rather we suffer the problems until they can 'fix' the proxies. The right way of dealing with this problem which has been going on for months is to disable the proxies until the situation is resolved.

That is of course my opinion. NTL would not do this and they have made it 100% clear to me. Hope you get this message before it's deleted...

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I dont think they saving that much cash with them, most web browsers by default will cache static images etc. anything dynamic shouldnt be cached by proxies anyway so they probably not saving that much traffic.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

My word that Ofirgal guy was a wally!! :D

I would love to know which School Of Debating he attended :)

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Its like a bad smell that comes back all the time and you never seem to get rid of it completely.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

He's on about his 8th username here now, and he keeps e-mailing us (mostly me) as well, he's even registered on another site just to e-mail me. :erm: How sad and pathetic - a classic internet stalker. :disturbd:

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

What i cannot understand is how he can get so upset about the proxies, Ok they are crap but hey there are more important things going on to worry about. :rolleyes:

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Maybe someone should remove the NTL Executive's name listed - just a thought.
I know from experience that's not allowed :)

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Good point

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I know we've removed phone numbers, not sure about names, but I've edited it anyway just to err on the side of caution.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Yeh, nice....shame I can't delete it from me notification email ;)

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

JUST HAPPENED TO ME :td: :p:


where/how do you change to a different proxy ?

edit: i'm telewest blueyonder but thats ntl telewest now is it not ?

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Depends on what browser you run but
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d...trancache.html
covers how to change proxy settings. Specify a proxy from the BY/ TW list just in case but basically look in your IE, tools, Internet options, connections, LAN settings.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

IE,Firefox and opera all the same

Just the one site affected and its the main one I go on and admin on lol... This same prob has happened to a few users...

Only the one site affected.. all others ok when browsing web.

thanks i'll take a look at your link :)

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

Set the proxy via IE as I think the others take their settings from it, FF has an extension that makes switching proxies easier. Think it's switchproxy or something.

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

I've tried the 4 listed on the link you sent mate, still nothing,in fact some of them I actually lost connection completely :( lol .. Is it an ISP phone call now ? :Yikes: :Yikes:

Re: NTL proxy problems
 

bounce07, you do not route via proxy server (no one on the old telewest network does, unless they have set it themselves).